Broadband for disabilities $20,000 prize

The Australian Computer Society is offering AU$20,000 in prize money for innovative use of telecommunications technology to assist individuals with a disability. Entries are invited from around the world for papers in the May 2010 issue of the ACS Telecommunications Journal of Australia. The Prize commemorates the disability advocate Christopher Newell.

Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Children Services and Disabilities, and Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in Canberra are launching the "Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell Prize" in Canberra this morning at about 10am.

The Telecommunications Society of Australia, a Special Interest Group of ACS, is delighted to announce the launching of the inaugural Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell Prize by the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Children Services and Disabilities, and Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in Canberra on 24 June 2009.
The Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell Prize, generously sponsored in 2009/10 by Telstra, will be awarded to the author(s) of the best, original paper offered to TJA (Telecommunications Journal of Australia) by a deadline of 15 January 2010, that demonstrates the tangible benefits that an innovative use of broadband or other telecommunications technology can provide in assisting individuals with disabilities.
This is a truly global competition; entries are invited from around the world. The best entries, including the winning paper or papers, will be published in the May 2010 issue of TJA.

The Judging Panel will be chaired by TJA’s Managing Editor, Professor Peter Gerrand (University of Melbourne), and includes Professor Gerard Goggin (University of Sydney) and Robert Morsillo, Telstra’s Group Manager for Consumer Affairs. Panel members do not vote or provide ratings on entries in which they have any conflict of interest.

The TSA applauds the excellent corporate citizenship of Telstra in sponsoring the inaugural Christopher Newell Prize. The Prize commemorates the late Reverend Canon Doctor Christopher Newell AM, 1964-2008, who was an extraordinary advocate for people with disability in Australia.

For further details on the Rules of the Prize Competition, see here.

From: The new AU$20,000 Telstra-TJA Christopher Newell Prize Competition, ACS, 2009

Tactile Door Signs for Taxis

Another product at the DesignBUILD 2009 exhibition were Tactile Signs. These are usually placed on building directories and lifts but are also used in taxis:

Raised taxi registration numbers must be placed on the exterior of passenger doors forward of the handle. The signage is to include Braille and raised characters. ...

From: Taxi vehicle standards, WA Department for Planning and Infrastructure , 2009

Freedom Wheels Program for Disabled Cyclists

Technical Aid to the Disabled NSW, have expanded their Freedom Wheels program to supply specially modified bicycles to disabled cyclists. The program is mainly for children, but also supplies adults with a disability which makes riding a normal bike difficult.

TAD have developed a set of standard components which are custom fitted to a bicycle to suit the rider. TAD fit a set of outrigger wheels (similar to trainer wheels but heavier duty, with springs and removable) to the bike and any back support needed.

TAD NSW are planning to make the program available across Australia through the TAD organisations in each state. TAD is a non-profit organization which accepts tax deductible donations to help its work (I gave them the royalties from my first book).

See also:

1. Frequently Asked Questions
2. FREEDOM WHEELS Brochure.